(DONE) Unit-I.-Lesson-1-Philosophical-Perspectives-Eastern.pptx

understanding the self

1. EASTERN PERSPECTIVES ON THE

2. Buddhism Anatta – “no self” The concept of a self is an illusion. There is no permanent concept of the self. All things are not permanent.

3. Siddharta Gautama known as Buddha is the founder of Buddhism The root word of Buddhism is “ budh ” meaning “awake” . To be awake may imply that when the eyes are open, it would lead to understanding more about the self and the world. According to the teachings of Buddhism, every person has the seed of enlightenment, hence potential to be a Buddha. But the seed should be nurtured.

4. In Buddhist philosophy, man is just a title for the summation of the five parts (matter, sensation, perception, mental contructs , and consciousness) that compose the individual, however each of the parts distinctly is not man. There is no self (or no-soul). There is only nothing and all else is an illusion. There is nothing permanent, but change. In Buddhism, anicca (impermanence) means that everything in life is always changing, that nothing lasts forever.

5. The ignorance of the impermanence of everything may lead to an illusion of selfhood. The ideal is to experience NIRVANA, a state of transcendence devoid of self-reference. This state of transcendence can be achieved through meditation

6. Confucianism ( Tu Wei Ming) 2 Aspects of the self 1. The self as the center of relationships 2. The self as dynamic process of spiritual development

7. The core of Confucian thought is the Golden Rule or the principle of reciprocity: “Do not do to others what you would not want others to do to you”. Another important feature in Confucian thought is the individual’s greatest mission of attaining self-realization wherein self-cultivation is instrumental . Self-cultivation could be accomplished by knowing one’s role in the society and act accordingly. Moral character is perfected through continuously taking every opportunity to improve oneself in thought and action.

8. Taoism Finding your identity Inner Nature – Knowing where you belong; everything has its own place and function Simplicity – Things in their original simplicity contain their own natural power, power that is easily spoiled and lost when that simplicity is changed. Knowledge and Relativity – “ There is more to knowing than just being correct.”

9. The perfect man has no self. The selfless person leads to a balanced life, in harmony with both nature and society. Taoists believe that simplicity, spontaneity and harmony with nature should govern one’s life. There should be unity and harmony among opposing elements: the Yin and Yang.

10. Hindu Philosophy Six Philosophies" ( ṣad-darśana ) • Nyaya (Reasoning) • Vaisheshika (Physical Sciences) • Mimamsa (Freedom through action) • Samkhya Samkhya (Framework of manifestation) • Yoga ( Practical methods for direct experience) • Vedanta (Contemplative self-inquiry)

11. The goal of man is to have a knowledge of the true reality- Brahman. Law of karma is the most important doctrine of Hinduism. All actions are subject to karma. Individual actions will lead to either a good or bad outcomes in one’s life.

12. Hindus believe that Atman being an immortal soul continues to be reincarnated from lifetime to lifetime until it is freed from the cycle of rebirth and reach a state of nirvana or non-birth. Karma does not end with a body’s death, so its influence may extend through incarnation of the soul.

13. Japanese Culture by de Vos 2 Dimensions 1. “etic” – conformity and cohesion (loyalty to the group and country) 2. “emic”- concept of the self through interaction with others • To be obedient and to have high achievement

14. Islam Sufism 1. COMMANDING SELF 2. REGRETFUL SELF 3. INSPIRED SELF 4. PLEASED SELF 5. Self-Pleasing to God 6. Pure Self

15. COMMON THREADS EASTERN PERSPECTIVE

16. INNER LIFE [vs. OUTER LIFE ] “He who conquers others is strong; he who conquers himself is mighty.” - Lao Tzu Outer life : - progress, industrial development ( basis of success, satisfaction) Search for truth – looking at the external world Inner life: - being at peace with oneself - Happiness, success is achieved by understanding oneself.

17. INTUITION [vs. SENSATION ] Intuitions - messages from the soul, promptings from a perspective of a greater comprehension being aware of your feelings and honoring cleansing.

18. WHOLENESS [vs. RATIONALITY] Rationality - seeing one object as separate from another . There is a sense of separation within ourselves. Wholeness a. wholeness of the universe i nter -connectedness, collective existence. b. wholeness within is forging harmony between our thoughts, feelings, desires, actions involving every part of our being in what we do

19. SPIRITUALITY [vs. MATERIALISM ] Man is not a mere body. T he soul transcends death. “Life is not a problem to be solved, but a mystery to be lived.” (Marcel) . Genuine fulfillment is in the attainment of Nirvana. Spirituality We are one with nature. We are only in relation to others. Concept of EMPTINESS Empty – when one is separated

20. HARMONY WITH NATURE [vs. DOMINION OVER NATURE ] INTERNAL POWER - Power that loves life in every form (power that perceives meaningfulness and purpose in smallest details upon the Earth) rooted in the deepest source of our BEING REVERENCE an attitude of honoring Life, of accepting that all Life is of value Reverence is not respect. “It is possible to respect one person and not respect another, but it is not possible to revere one person without revering every person .”( Zucav ) Ecology: The natural distribution of energy between kingdoms, between life-forms. Concept of WU-WEI (doing nothing) - letting the natural course of things to take place

21. Dimension Western Thought Eastern Thought Frame of Reference There is a separation between philosophy and religion/spirituality Religion and philosophy are intertwined. Examples of School of Thought/Belief System Scholasticism Rationalism Empiricism Phenomenology Hinduism Buddism Confucianism Taoism Notable Philosophers Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Rene Descartes John Locke Confucius Lao Tzu Siddharta Gautama (Buddha) Models and Approaches of Understanding the Self

22. Dimension Western Thought Eastern Thought Frame of Reference There is a separation between philosophy and religion/spirituality Religion and philosophy are intertwined. Examples of School of Thought/Belief System Scholasticism Rationalism Empiricism Phenomenology Hinduism Buddism Confucianism Taoism Notable Philosophers Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Rene Descartes John Locke Confucius Lao Tzu Siddharta Gautama (Buddha) Models and Approaches of Understanding the Self

23. Subject-Object Distinction (Bipolar Qualities of Self) Duality of self as subject (knower and self as object (known) Simultaneously subject and object (The experience of self as both the knower and known) Theological View Monotheistic Polytheistic (Pluralistic) Ideal Self-actualization through personal growth To achieve a balanced life and find one’s role in society.

24. Cultural Framework Individualism 1. The self is a distinct and autonomous entity; it is an independent part of the universe and the society. 2. Independence and self-reliance are core values. 3. Prioritize personal goals over group goals. 4. Characterized by exchange relationship Collectivism 1. The self is an integrated part of the universe and the society. 2. Interdependence and connectedness are core values. 3. No distinctions between personal and group goals, or if there is a distinction, the personal goals are subordinate to the group goals. 4. Characterized by communal relationship. 5. Conformity and obedience are essential social behaviors. 6. Duty towards all others is important.

25. Questions? End